Four killed in Argentine train collision

At least four people were killed Wednesday and about 70 injured when two passenger trains collided in a northwest suburb of Buenos Aires, officials said.

Just before 7:00 pm (2200 GMT), a long-distance train rammed a local train packed with rush-hour commuters that had emerged from the Retiro station, which connects the federal capital with populated north and northwest suburbs, officials said.

"There are four dead and 14 seriously injured," said Buenos Aires province governor Daniel Scioli.

"About 70 wounded ... were brought to this hospital," said Larcade de San Miguel hospital director Hernan Galimberti, speaking about four hours after the accident.

The hospitalized included 12 children but they all had light injuries and none of the fatalities were minors, he said.

At least three passengers were killed on the spot and their bodies were trapped in the twisted metal, said local fire chief Oscar Ferrari.

Rescuers managed to free three injured survivors who had been trapped in the wreckage, he said.

San Miguel Mayor Joaquin de la Torre regretted the "catastrophic" situation, and said he could not recall a train accident in at least two decades in the area.

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